A landscape gardener described as a “creative consultant” for U2 has avoided jail for knocking a Dublin Airport worker unconscious with a punch.
Mark McCabe (58), an accomplished gardener who once reached a semi-final of the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to assault causing harm to an airline staffer on November 9th, 2023.
The Londoner was fined €500, to be paid within six months, and received a three-month suspended sentence on the condition he gave €2,000 compensation to the complainant.
McCabe maintained that he had been in Dublin to discuss a project with singer and artist Gavin Friday.
He was due to fly home but got into a row with the airport worker about his boarding pass and punched the official at gate 106. The victim was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Garda Emmet O’Byrne charged McCabe with assault causing harm.
McCabe, who had previously told the court, he had mobility issues with his hands, had initially entered a not-guilty plea. However, he later changed it and admitted the offence.
Judge John Hughes heard staff were scanning boarding cards, but McCabe “scanned his card without being invited to do so”.
One of the workers asked him why, and it was claimed McCabe replied, “Okay, I made a mistake; what are you going to do about it?”
Staff asked him to keep his voice down, and he demanded to speak to a manager.
He was advised to wait, calm down and take a seat, or he would be banned from boarding due to his disruptive behaviour.
He punched the official in the jaw, knocking him unconscious, and his fist was swollen after he delivered the blow.
The victim suffered soft tissue injuries, was treated with painkillers, and took a week off work on medical advice.
Mr McCabe has given a relation’s address at Kilcross Square, Sandyford, Dublin 18, but lives in London. He must keep the peace for two years, remain under probation supervision, complete anger-management counselling, and have no contact with the victim.
He had told the court that through his work as a landscaper, he was a creative consultant for U2 and that he had been in Dublin to work for Gavin Friday.
His solicitor, John Feaheny, said his client was ashamed, appalled and genuinely remorseful.
The defence solicitor asked the judge to note his client was stressed from work at the time of the incident.
The accused, who had no prior convictions, had been recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and was getting treatment, and he apologised in court.
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